Microcircuit card customization

Abstract

A microcircuit card is provided with a fingerprint sensor. Customization of the microcircuit card is accomplished by the use of an exchange of data by near-field communications between the microcircuit card and a near-field communication device. A mechanical positioning system associated with the near-field communication device is configured to retain the microcircuit card such that the fingerprint sensor is accessible and near-field communication between the microcircuit card and the near-field communication device is assured. The mechanical positioning system may, in an example where the near-field communication device is a cell phone, be formed by a slot of a protective case for the cell phone.

1 . A method for customization of a microcircuit card provided with a fingerprint sensor, comprising:
 retaining the microcircuit card within a mechanical positioning system associated with a near-field communication device such that the fingerprint sensor is accessible and near-field communication between the microcircuit card and the near-field communication device is assured;   engaging in near-field communications between the microcircuit card and the near-field communication device in connection with execution of a process by the near-field communication device to perform customization of the microcircuit card.   
     
     
         2 . The method according to  claim 1 , further comprising:
 acquiring an image by the fingerprint sensor;   transmitting the image by near-field communication to the near-field communication device;   processing of the image by the near-field communication device to acquire biometric data;   transmitting the biometric data by near-field communication to the microcircuit card; and   storing of the biometric data into a memory of the microcircuit card.   
     
     
         3 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the near-field communication device powers the microcircuit card. 
     
     
         4 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the near-field communication device is a cell phone, and wherein the mechanical positioning system is provided by a protective case for the cell phone. 
     
     
         5 . The method according to  claim 4 , wherein the mechanical positioning system of the protective case comprises a slot configured for insertion of the microcircuit card in a position such that the fingerprint sensor is accessible. 
     
     
         6 . The method according to  claim 5 , wherein the protective case includes a flap configured to close said slot. 
     
     
         7 . The method according to  claim 6 , wherein said flap is configured to further function when open as a stand for supporting a resting orientation of the cell phone. 
     
     
         8 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the near-field communication device is a cell phone, and wherein the mechanical positioning system is provided by a jig configured to align the microcircuit card with respect to the cell phone in a position such that the fingerprint sensor is accessible. 
     
     
         9 . The method according to  claim 8 , wherein the alignment jig is specifically adapted to a model of the cell phone. 
     
     
         10 . The method according to  claim 8 , wherein the alignment jig is configured to be mailed to a user of the cell phone. 
     
     
         11 . The method according to  claim 8 , wherein the alignment jig is made of a recyclable material. 
     
     
         12 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the microcircuit card is a biometric contactless payment bank card. 
     
     
         13 . A system, comprising:
 a microcircuit card provided with a fingerprint sensor;   a near-field communication device;   a mechanical positioning system associated with said near-field communication device that is configured to retain the microcircuit card such that the fingerprint sensor is accessible and near-field communication between the microcircuit card and the near-field communication device is assured;   wherein said microcircuit card and near-field communication device are configured to engage in near-field communications in connection with execution of a process by the near-field communication device to perform customization of the microcircuit card.   
     
     
         14 . The system according to  claim 13 , wherein said process comprises:
 receiving by near-field communication an image acquired by the fingerprint sensor;   processing of the image by the near-field communication device to acquire biometric data; and   transmitting the biometric data by near-field communication to the microcircuit card for storage into a memory of the microcircuit card.   
     
     
         15 . The system according to  claim 13 , wherein the near-field communication device powers the microcircuit card. 
     
     
         16 . The system according to  claim 13 , wherein the near-field communication device is a cell phone, and wherein the mechanical positioning system is provided by a protective case for the cell phone. 
     
     
         17 . The system according to  claim 16 , wherein the mechanical positioning system of the protective case comprises a slot configured for insertion of the microcircuit card in a position such that the fingerprint sensor is accessible. 
     
     
         18 . The system according to  claim 17 , wherein the protective case includes a flap configured to close said slot. 
     
     
         19 . The system according to  claim 18 , wherein said flap is configured to further function when open as a stand for supporting a resting orientation of the cell phone. 
     
     
         20 . The system according to  claim 13 , wherein the near-field communication device is a cell phone, and wherein the mechanical positioning system is provided by a jig configured to align the microcircuit card with respect to the cell phone in a position such that the fingerprint sensor is accessible. 
     
     
         21 . The system according to  claim 20 , wherein the alignment jig is specifically adapted to a model of the cell phone. 
     
     
         22 . The system according to  claim 20 , wherein the alignment jig is configured to be mailed to a user of the cell phone. 
     
     
         23 . The system according to  claim 22 , wherein the alignment jig is made of a recyclable material. 
     
     
         24 . The system according to  claim 13 , wherein the microcircuit card is a biometric contactless payment bank card.